COMPETENCE, EXPERIENCE KEY ISSUES IN 2016

COMPETENCE, EXPERIENCE

 KEY ISSUES IN 2016

Competence and experience will be the key issues in 2016, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay said as he offered his track record as Makati mayor and as Vice President to the people.

Binay issued the statement after two surveys – Social Weather Stations and Novo Trends – showed that Filipinos consider him as their top choice for president in 2016.

“Tatakbo ako sa pagkapangulo dahil alam ko na sa darating na halalan, pipiliin ng mamamayang Pilipino iyong may karanasan at kakayahan sa pamamahala – karanasan at kakayahan na nagdulot ng magandang resulta, katulad po ng tinatamasa ng mga taga-Makati,” he said.

When Binay was appointed as Makati mayor after the 1986 EDSA Revolution, he took over a municipality that had P190-million annual revenue and about P200-million debt.

Binay then instituted reforms, implementing fiscal discipline and sound management practices that helped transform a bankrupt Makati to the country’s premier city.

Under his leadership, Makati provided free public education from elementary to high school and highly subsidized college education for residents at the University of Makati. Graduates were also assured of employment through the university’s dualized education system.

Makati also offered primary to tertiary health care under the Yellow Card health program – with free medicines and hospitalization – as well as a senior citizens care program that allowed Makati elderly to enjoy free movies, a birthday cake, medicine, and even cash allowance.

Binay’s accomplishments in Makati propelled him to be named as one of the top mayors of the world.

“Ang sabi nila wala raw akong magagawa. Pero naipakita ko na man po. Wala pong makapagsasabi ng hindi naming napaganda angbuhaysa Makati,” he said.

A few months after he assumed office as Vice President, Binay was appointed Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers’ (OFW) Concerns and chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

Binay gives priority to protecting the rights and welfare of OFWs, especially those on death row. He helped Rodelio “Dondon” Lanuza, who had been in prison in Saudi for 13 years and had been sentenced to die, secured his freedom and returned home.

Meanwhile, as housing czar, Binay led the key shelter agencies into providing quality and affordable homes to low income and informal settler families (ISFs).

From July 2010 to June 2014, the housing sector was able to provide direct housing assistance to nearly 582,000 low-income and ISFs.

Binay said that because the president’s term is only six years, he plans to work with past cabinet members who performed well during their tenures.

“Anim na taon lamang ang pagiging pangulo at napakaiksi po ng panahong ito. Dapat bihasa na sa pamamahala ang uupong pangulo, hindi iyong mag-aaral pa lang ng gagawin sakaling may krisis,”Binay said.

“Dahil sa paniniwalang ‘yan, gusto ko na kapag ako ay nagging pangulo, pipiliin ko na maging katuwang ang mga cabinet member na may karanasan at nagging epektibo sa kanilang trabaho,” he added.

Binay also maintained that executives from the local government are better equipped to handle national positions because of their experience in managing their localities.

“Lubos po ang aking paniniwala na pinakamagandang training ang local na pamahalaan para sa mga gusting umupo sa nasyonal na posisyon. TingnannyonalamangpoangAmerika. Marami sa kanilang mga national officials ay dating mga gobernador,” he said.

“Magkatulad ang pamamahala sa lokal at nasyonal, mas malawak nga lang pag buong bansa na ang pinagsisilbihan mo,” he added. /MP